Raising awareness of both global and local issues

Women of the Year has attracted speakers throughout the years who have raised issues long before the world woke up to their importance. To date these have included Samia Nakhou( Iraq radio presenter), HRH Princess Royal, Vigdis Finnbogadottir (President of Iceland) and Martha Lane Fox, along with the following:

1975
Germaine Greer, Journalist & Author.  Her first book, The Female Eunuch (1969) took the world by storm and remains one of the most influential texts of the feminist movement. She makes regular appearances in print and other media as a broadcaster, journalist, columnist and reviewer.

1980
Margaret Gowen, Oxford Professor of History and Science, warned the earth could be destroyed by the atomic arms race.

1984
Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space, begged the Women of the Year to join Russia’s women to end the Cold War.

1986
Coretta Scott King, Peace Campaigner. When Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968, his widow, understandably could have retired from public life and devoted herself to bringing up her children. Instead, Coretta Scott King carried on her husband’s work, trying to fulfil his dream of an America in which all people had equal rights.

1989
Baroness Helena Kennedy is described as ‘the nation’s favourite Portia’.  Helena Kennedy QC is one of Britain’s leading lawyers. She has spent her professional life giving voice to those who have least power within the system, championing civil liberties and promoting human rights.

2002
Baroness Susan Greenfield, Physicist/Researcher, has developed a multidisciplinary approach to exploring neuronal mechanisms in the brain that are common to regions affected by both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

2003
Birdie McDonald, who has fostered over 700 children, showed how one person’s compassion and dedication can change the lives of many and in doing so contribute hugely to society.

2004
Samia Nakhoul, found herself in charge of the West Beirut Bureau during the Lebanese civil war. She spoke about her personal experience of war in Iraq and the impact on women.

2006
Martha Lane Fox, Founder of lastminute.com, talked about being passionate, visionary and undeterred against all the odds – both in business and her own personal recovery to health.

2007
Christiane Amanpour, CNN Chief War Correspondent described her experiences in war torn situations around the world.

2008
Eve Ensler, award-winning playwright and founder of V-Day, a global movement that supports anti-violence organisations throughout the world and exists for no other reason than to stop violence against women.

In 2008, the Women of the Year Lectures were established where debates on issues which affect the world, our lives and future are raised. Finding the right inspirational and motivating speakers for our audience is a challenge we enjoy.

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